DK Travel : Bangkok : Jim Thompson’s House

Jim Thompson’s House

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Jim Thompson, an American who came to Bangkok in 1945, is credited with having revived the Thai art of silk weaving. His traditional Thai house is filled with Southeast Asian antiques, paintings, and sculptures. Surrounded by a lush garden, the compound consists of five other teak houses on stilts which also showcase part of the collection.
Ignore any touts hanging around near the house who tell you that it is closed; they just want to take you shopping elsewhere so that they can get a commission. The branch of Jim Thompson Silk that is located on the grounds of the house sells many small items such as ties and purses that make great gifts for friends back home. There is an excellent café on the premises that looks out over a tranquil pond and serves a good range of meals and snacks.

Top 10 Features

1. Jataka Paintings

1. Jataka Paintings

Near the entrance of the house are scenes from the Jataka Tales, which depict the incarnations of the Buddha. The panels, painted in the early 19th century, still retain their rich colors and detail.
2. Burmese Carvings

2. Burmese Carvings

These intricate carvings display a high level of artistic ability. Jim Thompson’s extensive collection of wooden figures includes images of Nat , animist spirits which were incorporated into Buddhism when it developed in Burma.
3. Master Bedroom

3. Master Bedroom

With a great view over the garden, the master bedroom of the house is decorated with large sculptures, paintings of the Jataka Tales, and photographs of Jim Thompson on a bedside table.
4. Dvaravati Buddha Torso

4. Dvaravati Buddha Torso

Probably the most significant example of early Asian art at the complex, this headless Buddha torso, made of limestone during the Dvaravati period (7th–8th centuries), was found in Lopburi Province. The statue is on display in the garden that surrounds the house.
5. Drawing Room

5. Drawing Room

The centerpiece of the house, this large and airy room looks out onto a terrace and is decorated in rich orange and red colors. It houses a 13th-century sandstone head of the Buddha and wooden carvings of Burmese figures set in illuminated alcoves.
6. Dining Room

Like the master bedroom, the dining room also enjoys lovely views of the garden. The room features several items of Ming porcelain as well as some fine paintings. The dining table, which consists of two mahjong tables put together, is laid out for a meal as it might have been during the days of Jim Thompson.
7. Traditional Teak Houses

7. Traditional Teak Houses

Their roofs are steeply pitched for ventilation, and the walls lean inward to create a sense of height.
8. Spirit House

8. Spirit House

Located near the canal, the spirit house generally has offerings of flowers and incense to appease the spirit of the land on which the house stands.
9. Ban Khrua Silk Weavers

Thompson initially chose the location of his house beside Khlong Saen Saep because a silk weavers’ community lived at Ban Khrua, on the opposite bank. This made it easy for him to oversee their work.
10. The Garden

10. The Garden

Surrounding the house is a garden with cooling pools and dense tropical vegetation including flowers, banana plants, and palm trees.

Practical Information

Ignore any touts hanging around near the house who tell you that it is closed; they just want to take you shopping elsewhere so that they can get a commission. The branch of Jim Thompson Silk that is located on the grounds of the house sells many small items such as ties and purses that make great gifts for friends back home. There is an excellent café on the premises that looks out over a tranquil pond and serves a good range of meals and snacks. 6 Soi Kasem San 2, Rama 1 Road (02) 216 7368 Skytrain National Stadium Open 9am–5pm daily Adm B100 www.jimthompson house.com